Mail chute



R. M. HULETT A Nom-11, ,1930.

MAIL CHUTE Filed Sept. 5. 192B Patented Nov. 11, 1930 i PATENT OFFICERALPH IVI. HULETT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO MAIL CHUTE Application measeptember T he objects of the invention are to provide an improvedpractical and efficient form of construction for a built in mail chute,in which are combined the features of an external transparentilluminated swinging door over an opening for the receipt of mail whichis of suliicient size to expose also the house number or name of theresident thereon, the device also includes a transparent illuminateddoor located at a lower level inside of the wall to which the mail chuteis attached, and through which the mail is removed. Adjacent to thecasing of the inner and lower door is provided a control switchaccessible only from within the house, to the occupant thereof, whichwill regulate a light placed in the upper part of the mail chute forilluminating the house number, this light will also illuminate thevestibule or porch in the wall of which' the mail chute is attached, andwhich is electrically connected with an electric circuit in which thedoor bell is included. A pleasant, and diffused light which willuniformly and clearly outline all the figures on the number plate isobtained by introducing a transformer in the house cir- 'cuit.

ln this manner is provided a constant porch light, an illumination forthe house 3.0 number, and an illumination for the lower portion of thechute, thus indicating to the occupant of the house that the light is inservice.V

The illumination of the lower door will 35. also indicate to theoccupant when there has been mail deposited in the box.

Also a second bell in the electric circuit may be connected with theupper door in such a manner that the bell will ring whenever 40C mail isdeposited in the box.

Also a baille plate may be transversely positioned across the chute toprevent mail from being withdrawn from above from the chute.

452 Further, a separate flexible magazine holder is provided whichmay befilled out to introduce magazines or newspapers therein, and willautomatically return to place.

The invention is hereinafter `more fully ldescribed, illustrated in theaccompanying s, 192s. serial No. 304,145.

drawings, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a perspective of the device, Fig.2 is a vertical section thereof inplace in the house wall, Fig. 3 is anenlarged section thereof.

In these views, A represents the mail chute which is inserted betweenthe sheathing B and *covering C of the wall and is preferably attachedto a cross beam D.

` E is a front metal plate secured to flanges F on the open front of thechute.

\ This plate is provided with an opening Gr over which a door H ishinged at Ljthat is provided with a transparent insertion J, upon whichthehouse number or name of the owner is placed, so that it can readilybe illuminated at night by means of an electric light bulb, K, withinthe chute.

This lamp is small and hence of lowvoltage and is connected in the housecircuit through a transformer` M. A switch N inside the wall adjacent tothe frame of the door Oat the bottom of the chute is employed tolightthe lamp under `the control of the house owner. j

VThe lampilluminates `the house number with amodified glowthat will notdazzle the eyes.g

The lower door is employed for access to the chute to remove the mailtherefrom and also has a glass panel Z inserted in its frame to permit`the owner of the `house to know that Vthe lamp is illuminated. A bell Pis connected in the battery circuit with termi! nals Q, Q, that closethe circuit when the upper door is opened, so as to inform the occupantof the house when the mail has been deposited.

Anexternal plate lt is employed having a recess R revealing the name ofthe occupant, and the electric lamp is attached thereto, and, also apush button switchR2 is employed` by meansof which the door bell S issounded.

This bell may be in the same' electric circuit with the lamp.

By means of `this construction the bell, button, lamp, and transformermay be accessible at any time for adjustment or replacement of theparts.

lili! l im adj acent to said lower opening, and

a switch in said Screws T may be used to secure this plate in place.

A looped cord V passing over the pulley W is employed to hold anewspaper or magazine, this is fdrst pulled out and the paper or packageis placed in the loop and a spring` X or weight pulls the loop tightlyagainst the chute and retains the package in place. ,y

A flexible baille plate Y is inclined across the mail chute and haspreferably aserrated edge. This plate will yield Ato permit mail todescend but the hand cannot pass it from above to remove inail.

Having described the invention what I.

claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: y

l. In a mail chute, a hollow body having oppositely directed upper andlower yopenings, a plate covering the upper opening, ,a

swinging door in said plate, said door having a transparent portion. forthe reception of the house number, .an external plate detachablysecuredto said covering plate,ank electric lamp secured to saiddetachable plate f and extending into said chute, a suitablel source ofpower providing a circuit for said lamp, and a swltchforjsaid circuitadJacent providing an electric circuit for saidlamp,

and a control switch therefor adjacent to said lower door.

5. A built in mail chute having an upperY outwardly directed portion anda lower inwardly directed portion, a plate covering the outer portion, atransparent door therein,

a Yhousenuinber in said, door, a 'detachable second plate securedthereto having an opening` through which to observe a name upon the irstplate, an electric bulb attached to the inner surfaceof said secondplate and *detachablev therewith, a suitable source of power providing acircuit therefor, and a switch therein adjacent'to said lower openino".l ,Y Y

In testimony whereofV I aiX myy signature. RALPH' M. HULE'IT.

to said lower opening, said switch beingfaccessible only to the occupantvof `the building y: in which said chute is situated.

`2. In a mail chute, a .hollow body having oppositely directed upper andlower openings, ,a closure for the upper opening, a swinging door insaidclosure, said door having a transparent portion for the reception ofthe house number, an external plate detachably secured to said closureplate, an electric-lamp` ing into said chute, a suitable sourceo powerproviding a circuit for said lamp, la source ofv electricity therefor, aswitch for said circuit a transparent door' for said loweropening.

3. A vertical mailchute provided with an' upper opening inits front wallandjwith a secured to said vdetachable plateY and extend-y 'l loweropening in its rearwalh'a plate overv 'l the upper opening, ya swingingdoor in saidplate, lsaid door having Va transparentportion,` a :door inVvsaid loweropening provided with a transparent portion, an electric lampin said chute, the transparent portion` ofl said upperdoor being adaptedto receive the house Y upon the upper door, an electriclamp withinSaflhute, Said lamp Serving to illuminate Ybeth said openings, asuitable source/,of power fmoV ics

